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As the muscles, ligaments and supporting tissues in the pelvis become weaker, they are less able to hold in the organs of the pelvis such as the womb (uterus) or bladder.

Gravity pulls these organs down and, in the more severe cases, may appear through the entrance to the vagina.

A variety of problems can occur, depending on where the weakness lies and which organs are able to descend, but in every case there is some degree of prolapse of the vaginal wall, which begins to invert (rather like a sock turning inside out). Prolapse of the womb or uterus is the most common prolapse, affecting as many as one in eight older women to some degreeProlapse of the bladder, known as a cystocele, is less common. Prolapse of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) is known as a urethrocele.Prolapse of the intestines is quite rare, and known as an enterocele or rectocele.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on which tissues descend, and how severe the prolapse is.

They may include:A sense of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis.The appearance of a bulge of tissue in the genital area, which can be quite alarming, and is often red and sore.Urinary problems, such as having to urinate more frequently, feeling the need urgently, being incontinent (losing control of the bladder) or, conversely, being unable to pass urine when you need to.Pain in the pelvis or lower back.Sexual problems, including pain and decreased libido.Constipation.Vaginal discharge or bleeding.

Treatment and recovery

Once a prolapse has developed, surgery to fix the affected organs is usually the only way to cure it effectively.

However, another option is to use a device known as a vaginal ring pessary. This is rather like a contraceptive diaphragm or cervical cap. It's made of silicone or latex, and placed in the vagina to push back the prolapsed organs and hold them in place. Many women happily manage their prolapse this way.

MrsClairet I had to have a second operation to sort out scarring on the back wall and closing a 'gap' and I do not regret it at all. Although I am still having problems it really helped. Be very clear with your consultant with what you want.

Hi, can I join? Just spending another night crying in bed so thought I should be brave and ask for some support. DD was a VBAC but I had no natural urge to push and she was just sort of sitting going nowhere for over 2 hours. Ended up arriving by forceps lift out (I think. Though notes suggest otherwise?) and episiotomy. She's 8 months now and after an initial delay I am now seeing physio.

I am aware all the time of the falling feeling inside, although physio says my prolapse is very mild and that lax vaginal walls are my issue. I have no continence problems. Currently doing pelvic floor exercises and have a stimulator to use once every 2 days.

I feel just awful. Ruined. If I need to poo I feel it pushing inside me. I can't run or jump and carrying my toddler or playing with him makes the feeling worse. I don't seem to be improving and am terrified I will just have to accept this and live with it forever because it is "mild". Apologies as I haven't read the other threads as am feeling very self indulgent and depressed and worried they will scare me even more.

Just wanted to send hugs and and abigboy ,until someone wiser comes along .

Is it mainly the poo side of things ? I wonder if some softening or bulking agent - Movicol or something gentle would help ?

It's a horrid ,horrid situation to be in .It's such hard work with a little one ,and you should be enjoying your time . Perhaps you should go back to GP ,is there a more sympathetic one in the practice ?

Perhaps you need tests to more fully explore your condition ?Physio might think it's mild ,but what are they basing that on ? Not your experience of it ,that's for sure .

Thanks you. It's really just the falling feeling that gets me down. Otherwise I have no symptoms (the feeling that my vagina has collapsed in on itself doesn't count. In fact nothing other than actual incontinence seems to count and I am lucky I don't have that). Just constantly feel self aware and can't run after or play with my toddler the way I would like to. Physio are very supportive but no one else seems to get that I am so frightened that I may never get back to normal. I have just stopped breastfeeding and am hoping that may help. Recently started with a neurotrac stimulator physio programme but it doesn't seem to be having any effect

abigboydidit I know exactly how you feel, to begin with I had the same as you, just a feeling of something not right, no incontinence or poo issues but then it got loads worse over the course of a year to the point where you could see a bulge at the entrance of the vagina. It made me feel so self conscious and makes me feel guilty because I can't do everything I want to do with my children. I had the op in May and it looks so much better which makes me feel much less self conscious but it still feels not right so I have got to go back to the consultant. I think it would be worth getting something done but obviously you have got to weigh up the risks etc and personally I wouldn't have it done until you don't have to lift the children anymore. I had help for the first 4 weeks but after that occasionally had to lift my DS into the bath, car seat etc and I don't think that helped with the healing.

Hi can I join ? I had my ds 16 weeks ago delivered by forceps after pushing for what seemed forever then they said he had twisted and wasn't moving down. I have been to the doctors once at seven weeks post birth and she confirmed I have a prolapse from the back passage and to carry on with pelvic floor exercises and not to get constipated. Well easier said than done, I am eating better and using lactolose when I remember but still get constipated. The prolapse seems worse so I have been Brave and made another appointment with the doctor. What is likely to happen now ? I want to avoid an operation if at all possible.

I am home from hospital. Have had a posterior repair and perrinopaphy (sp?). Feel ok. Not painful but very uncomfortable. Hoping the movicol and prune juice will work its magic soon as I'm sure I will be more comfortable after I've gone. Kids are lovely and being gentle at the moment but I'm sure they'll expect me back to normal tomorrow!

Hi curly. Are you doing your PFE's? Religiously? Hold for 10 really hard so you are exhausting the muscle. Do this 10 times then 10 short ones. Do this 5 times a day. Without fail! Probably won't fix it but may well stop it from getting worse hence avoiding surgery. Constipation really will make it worse so take the lactulose or fibre gel or flaxseed or whatever works for you. Fewer carbs and more fat works for me.

No stunts I had a general in the end - the anaesthetist basically said it was the safer option and that would only prefer to do a regional if someone had a bad reaction to generals or was too frail etc. would have done it but I was happy to go with his reccomendation. Was fine, cold and shakes after but that passed but couldn't bloody sleep last night which apparently is a side effect. Had a private room too so was expecting a grand sleep! Was v lucky to have own room and loo/shower etc. and someone bringing me tea and biscuits every couple of hours. Could get used to that! ;-)

Ah well glad it all went well anyway, you did the right thing by going with the anaesthetist as they'd have known what was best for you. I remember I didn't want to leave my lovely hospital room. I was trying to relish every moment of the peace. It was so wonderful having all the nurses clucking round me, they were so kind. Think I was sobbing with gratitude at one stage or was it the thought of having to come home and deal with the kids Take care and hope the op makes some vast improvements for you. I have sneezed quite a few times since my op, keep checking my pants after and not weed myself yet, life changing or what

Thanks MrsClaret I think they're waiting till physio has been exhausted before they hit me with the limited treatment options.. I won't be taking it lying down and am prepared for a fight. Prior to having kids I was someone who relied on exercise to de stress and boost my confidence so am finding the enforced sedentary lifestyle most demoralising.

Hi really feel the need to join this thread although not very good with computers will try my best. Background - 45yrs, 3DS 16, 14,12 last 2 big babies over 9.5lb. Anyway to get to point am due to have rectocele surgery next week and absolutely petrified im doing the right thing - although something does need to be done as been having problems with BMs more and more often and can only get worse I guess!! But have read so many scare stories about painful/impossible sex, lumps and bumps etc - don't want to end up more deformed than am already. Also so mortified by it all I know I shouldn't be but don't really like to share the gory details with my nether regions with everyone!!. Anyway can anyone tell me if it is worth it in the end and how long will it take to feel normal?

lotsofquestions this is exactly how I am feeling about my impending surgery too. Am having sacropolpopexy on 2nd Jan and haven't yet found anyone who has actually had it done. Very apprehensive about problems afterwards etc etc and them poking around near my spine. I'm not normally a worrier about surgery but this one just makes me nervous.

Hi lotsofquestions I'm 2 days post surgery for a rectocele repair so I'll let you know Am feeling a bit tearful today. More pain than yesterday, feels like stitches are pulling and I feel achey. Normal?

Curly - I have an Iphone app called Kegel Trainer which flashes pre-set alerts at me to do my PFEs which I ignore quite often and then times you through them.

Musttidy - yes very normal, take it very easy. I found my sleep patterns were very disturbed for the first week or so, I basically just snoozed on and off round the clock. Take it very easy for the first couple of weeks especially, and listen to your body, if it aches or hurts, lie down and rest.

Lotsof - I'm glad I had my rectocele done, I was in daily discomfort and unable to run around with the DCs, stand for long periods, increasing problems with BMs, unable to keep a tampon in etc. It took about 3 months to fully recover as in able to sit comfortably on a hard chair for hours and or be on my feet all day without getting exhausted and a few more after that to get the PF back up to strength. I am still a bit lumpy and bumpy below, there is some scarring, and I still get the occasional twinge or ache, but on the whole everything is so much better. What never leaves is the fear of overdoing it and setting the whole thing off again though. I did some digging on the allotment on Tuesday and have been a bit achey down below, everything feels the same, but it is worrying, it wasn't really all that strenuous. I still have a mild cystocele, so the aim is also not to make that any worse. Do ask if you have any more specific questions.

Sadly I didn't get to see the surgeon who did my op , my pain got worse and worse and I ended up at A&E in agony , after a week in hosptial it has been decided I have nerve damage , I'm on all kind of narcotic painkillers and nobody seems to have any answers, I'm devastated and in pain every day , I'm told to wait and see if the nerve gets better . I didn't know that this surgery could leave me like this , don't know if ill be able to work and as sex is not possible due to pain I don't know how my marriage will go ... I wish I never had the op I the first place it was the worst decision of my life . Today I'm seeing a nerve pain specialist to help with my quality of life and see if he has any suggestions for how to proceed , I first thought that there must be a way to fix it if surgery caused it , but it's not that simple . Has anyone heard of this happening before ?

Thanks all for getting back to me - I think this is going to be a sanity saver for me! loads of questions - still - really worried about the lifting - the 6 weeks will be bad enough but I also like gardening allotment etc and will be scared to do digging etc. At least having it done this time of year means that hopefully I will be back to full working order by the time spring comes. My consultant said that I would still need to be careful for a few months but could then carry on life as normal but it seems even the experts have different opinions, I guess we will have to see how how our bodies respond when the time comes. I know what you mean about tearful, I am only just holding it all together at work and at home. With 4 boys in the house I havent really gone into too much detail about forthcoming op (just makes me cry anyway!!!) and am too embarrassed to discuss much with other girly mates they just say things like the Drs know what they are doing (but its not their fanjo's - great word!! that are about to be sliced open is it!) why am I the only one amongst so many mums I know with this issue - its not fair is it? On lighter note cant wait to see how my family manage without their organ grinder in operation doing all the household stuff she normally does and sitting on backside (will I be able to do that??) looking at computer screen instead, it will be like role reversal! Also what is the max recommended lifting weight for the 6 weeks - hopefully an iron is too heavy but this laptop wont be!!!!